The JBL Flip 5 was released in early 2019 as an entry-level Bluetooth speaker that is available in up to 11 distinct colors. The speaker has a rugged housing to protect it from any severe damage when used outdoors, and like most of the top speakers for outdoor use, it has an IP67 rating which means it is both dust and waterproof. The speaker’s Bluetooth connection has a range of up to 219 ft, so it doesn’t have to be too close to the source when watching videos or movies. It can also handle connections from two devices simultaneously. The most popular Bluetooth speakers on the market have a much longer range, but the Flip 5 makes up for that with unique options, such as the ability to personalize its grille by uploading your own unique design requests on JBL’s website.
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JBL Flip 5 Review
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Absolutely Fresh
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The JBL Flip 5 delighted expert testers with its decent bass response and sturdy build quality. They liked the speaker’s battery life and that it was water and dust-resistant. However, its inability to play stereo content, missing WiFi connectivity, and lack of a 3.5mm output disappointed them.
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Product Snapshot
Overview
The JBL Flip 5 was released in early 2019 as an entry-level Bluetooth speaker that is available in up to 11 distinct colors. The speaker has a rugged housing to protect it from any severe damage when used outdoors, and like most of the top speakers for outdoor use, it has an IP67 rating which means it is both dust and waterproof. The speaker’s Bluetooth connection has a range of up to 219 ft, so it doesn’t have to be too close to the source when watching videos or movies. It can also handle connections from two devices simultaneously. The most popular Bluetooth speakers on the market have a much longer range, but the Flip 5 makes up for that with unique options, such as the ability to personalize its grille by uploading your own unique design requests on JBL’s website.
Consensus
our Verdict
Expert testers were beyond satisfied with the bass depth and tough build quality of the JBL Flip 5. Testing results conducted by the review team at Sound Guys found that the speaker lasted almost 10 hours, and they also liked that it could be paired with more speakers when set to PartyBoost mode. They lauded its bass response and appreciated that the JBL Connect app was easy to use when making adjustments to the sound. Analysts from PC Mag also complemented its powerful audio output and liked how prepared it was for the outdoors, thanks to its water and dust resistance. The Flip 5 is pretty easy to carry around since it only weighs 1.2 pounds, but if you’d prefer something even more compact, check out our JBL Clip 4 review.
The Flip 5 also has its share of drawbacks. Testers were disappointed with its missing speakerphone functionality and lack of support for voice assistants. They also complained that it couldn’t play stereo content and that it lacked a 3.5mm output.
ReasonS to Buy
- Multi-device pairing
- Water and dust resistant
- Lightweight and portable
- Decent bass levels
- Customizable grille
Reason to Avoid
- No WiFi connectivity
- No support for voice assistants
- No speakerphone functionality
JBL Flip 5 Specs
| 7.12" | – | |
 | Battery Life | 12 hrs |
 | Built In Microphone | No |
 | Charge Time | 2.5 hrs |
 | Depth | 2.71" |
 | Height | 2.9" |
 | IPX Rating | IPX7 |
 | Smart App | JBL Portable |
 | Speaker Pairing | Yes |
 | Water Resistant | Yes |
 | Wattage | 20W |
 | Width | 7.12" |
 | Wireless Range | 10 m |
All Specs
Test Results
These are the most important criteria to test for Speakers based on our comprehensive Testing Methodology.
| Battery Life (Hours) | 13.55 |
| Volume Output (dB) | 85.5 |
| Low End Roll Off (Hz) | 95.137 |
| High End Roll Off (Hz) | 4,005.486 |
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Product Comparison
 JBL Flip 5 Review | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
True Score | 82 | 83 | 78 | 84 |
Ranking | # 35 / 109 | # 24 / 109 | # 72 / 109 | # 5 / 109 |
Market Context |
The JBL Flip 5 was released in early 2019 as an entry-level Bluetooth speaker that is available in up to 11 distinct colors. The speaker… |
The JBL Flip 5 is the predecessor to the JBL Flip 6. It has a longer-lasting 8.2-hour battery compared to the Flip 6, which lasts… The JBL Flip 5 is the predecessor to the JBL Flip 6. It has a longer-lasting 8.2-hour battery compared to the Flip 6, which lasts up to 5.9 hours at max levels. However, the Flip 6 has a graphic equalizer while the Flip 5 does not. Here’s our JBL Flip 6 review for more info. |
The JBL Flip 5 can get louder than the Sony SRS-XB23, but the XB23 has speakerphone functionality and voice assistant support that the Flip 5… The JBL Flip 5 can get louder than the Sony SRS-XB23, but the XB23 has speakerphone functionality and voice assistant support that the Flip 5 does not. The XB23 also has a graphic EQ that is missing on the Flip 5 and can play stereo content while the Flip 5 cannot. |
The JBL Flip 5 and the JBL Charge 5 are similar in many ways, but buyers might want to consider some slight differences that exist… The JBL Flip 5 and the JBL Charge 5 are similar in many ways, but buyers might want to consider some slight differences that exist between the two. For example, the Flip 5 has a wider soundstage, but the Charge 5 has a longer lasting 14.5 hr battery compared to the one on the Flip 5, which lasts up to 8.2 hours. Take a look at our JBL Charge 5 review to see what else it has got in store. |
7.12" | – | – | – | – |
Battery Life | 12 hrs | 12 hrs | 12 hrs | 20+ hrs |
Built In Microphone | No | n/a | Yes | No |
Charge Time | 2.5 hrs | 2 hrs | 4 hrs | 4 hrs |
Depth | 2.71" | – | – | 3.67" |
Height | 2.9" | – | – | 3.76" |
IPX Rating | IPX7 | – | – | IP67 |
Smart App | JBL Portable | JBL Portable | Yes | JBL Portable |
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Score Card
E
Expert Score
*.75
We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores
C
Customer Score
*.25
We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores
True Score
Any product with a True Score above 80 is a Absolutely Fresh
Expert Scores
Publications with higher Trust Ratings are given more weight.
100.6Category Trust Rating
64The JBL Flip 5 speaker delivers a strong Bluetooth audio experience in an outdoor-friendly design… Read MoreBy:
What Hi-Fi?
81.17Category Trust Rating
77JBL’s Flip 5 is a simple soul with Bluetooth-only playback and modest features, but if… Read MoreBy:
Hannah Davies
43.6Category Trust Rating
80Thanks to above-average sound in a small package, the JBL Flip 5 remains one of… Read MoreBy:
Georgia Dixon
65.58Category Trust Rating
80The JBL Flip 5 is fair for outdoor use. It’s a portable speaker with a… Read MoreBy:
Tim Gideon
45.5Category Trust Rating
90The JBL Flip 5 is a great option for anyone looking for an affordable speaker… Read MoreBy:
Mike Lowe
43Category Trust Rating
80If you’re looking for a small, portable and waterproof Bluetooth speaker then your options are… Read MoreBy:
Unknown
Customer Scores
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